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Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male reproductive...

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is a complex process that involves the development of sperm cells from undifferentiated stem cells in the seminiferous tubules of the testes. The process is essential for the production of mature and functional sperm cells that are capable of fertilizing an egg.
The process of spermatogenesis can be divided into mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. During mitosis, the spermatogonia or stem cells divide to produce two identical daughter cells, type A and B spermatogonia. Type-A...

The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness

The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness

The Y chromosome is a sex chromosome found in several vertebrates and mammals, including humans. In addition to 22 pairs of autosomes, the human males have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome. In these organisms, the presence or absence of the Y chromosome determines the development of male traits.
Evolution
Around 300 million years ago, the two sex chromosomes diverged from two identical autosomal chromosomes. Over time, the Y chromosome has lost most of its genes, shrinking in size. Today,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects

Published on: April 21, 2022

Major chimpanzee-specific structural changes in sperm development-associated genes.

Ryong Nam Kim¹, Dae-Won Kim, Sang-Haeng Choi

¹Genome Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, South Korea. krn1968@kribb.re.kr

Functional & Integrative Genomics

|April 13, 2011

Summary

Chimpanzee sperm development genes show significant structural changes during evolution. This study reveals novel insights into male reproduction and genetic diversity between humans and chimpanzees.

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Area of Science:

Genetics
Evolutionary Biology
Reproductive Science

Background:

Understanding sperm development is crucial for male reproductive health.
Comparative genomics offers insights into species evolution and genetic adaptations.

Purpose of the Study:

To comprehensively analyze the transcriptional structures of chimpanzee sperm development-associated genes.
To identify and characterize structural changes in these genes during chimpanzee evolution.

Main Methods:

Sequencing of 7,680 clones from a chimpanzee testis full-length cDNA library.
Comparative analysis of human and chimpanzee genomes and transcriptomes.
dN/dS analysis to assess evolutionary pressures.
Gene ontology annotation and expression profiling.

Main Results:

1,933 nonredundant full-length cDNA sequences were obtained.
78 sperm development-associated genes showed severe structural changes between humans and chimpanzees.
39 genes exhibited chimpanzee-specific structural alterations.
Evidence of positive selection (dN/dS > 1) in some transcripts, including sperm development genes, when comparing humans and chimpanzees.
Chimpanzee testis transcriptome is enriched with genes related to male germ cell development.

Conclusions:

Many chimpanzee sperm development-associated genes have undergone significant structural evolution.
These changes provide molecular evidence for adaptive evolution in male reproduction.
The findings enhance our understanding of the genetic basis of sperm development and reproductive differences.